Co-Founder + Operations Manager + Tutor

Fiona is passionate about using creative thinking and collaboration to come up with practical and beautiful solutions. Fiona thought she would grow up to be a sewing teacher, but become a social entrepreneur instead.... and now teaches sewing (while running our studio). Fiona loves the variety of her work for Stitch Kitchen, and the wellbeing benefits of developing a caring community of fellow fabric addicts.

Assistant Studio Manager

Desi is a textile artist specialising in embroidery and crochet. She holds a BFA and MFA from the Dunedin School of Art. She loves to use found objects in both her art practice and in making upcycled clothing under the name Altered Eco. Her previous careers as a librarian and school teacher help her to pass her love upcycling. She loves the feeling of community at Stitch Kitchen and enjoys being part of it."

Tutor + Studio Assistant

Bridget started sewing from a young age, with sewing skills passed down through the generations. She cares lots about sustainability in fashion and likes to teach her students how to make better choices with their clothes. As well as sewing, she knits, weaves, and embroiders. Bridget has a bachelor's in fashion from Otago Polytechnic and is currently completing a Masters of Teaching and Learning from the University of Otago. She enjoys also sharing these skills as a tutor at Stitch Kitchen.

Dean is incredibly passionate about people. He spends a lot of his time involved within the
community, connecting and collaborating with people from all walks of life.
Dean has been involved in several industries within his career such as digital imaging, FMCG and recruitment.
What he loves most about Stitch Kitchen is the amazing people; staff and volunteers, all
sharing a common goal and working together to achieve it.

Descended from a line of expert sewers, Sara is an occasional sewer and daily knitter, appreciating the ‘productive mindfulness’ of these crafts. With a background in science, Sara’s day job is on the Senior Leadership Team of AgResearch. Often found with a baby vest in progress for charity, she embraces knitting in public despite her son's disapproval. Sara has long admired Stitch Kitchen and looks forward to contributing as a Trustee.

Liesel has a background in teaching, research and quality management. She has always loved clothes and is a big supporter of op-shops and recycling. When Liesel recently blew up her own sewing machine, the silver lining was finding out about the Stitch Kitchen Beginner Basics class. One pair of pyjamas later, Liesel is excited to support Stitch Kitchen’s mission, and contribute to growing Dunedin’s community of creative sustainability.

By day Tracy is the Marketing and Communications Manager for Southlink here is Dunedin. She visited Stitch Kitchen for the first time in April this year and was taken by what a treasure trove it was. Since then she has visited and purchased fabric and notions and her daughter has completed the Children's Sewing Lessons. Tracy loves sewing, loves creating and loves that Stitch Kitchen is also playing its own small part in helping make our world a better place.

Having lived in a house of Crafters and Sewers, David is no stranger to the excitement that crafting something from nothing can bring.
Working in sales and retail all his life, he has an inbuilt retail know how, as well as an enviable corporate contact list. These skills are a great fit with Stitch kitchen and its goals.
David loves combining good business experience with environmental sustainability.